Become a NYC Street Tree Steward!
It’s easy to become a NYC street tree steward! NYC Parks hosts volunteers all year long. They can train you in basic activities such as watering trees, adding mulch and soil, and removing weeds and litter, as well as advanced activities such as installing a tree guard, expanding tree beds, and removing stone or brick pavers. And word to the wise: if you complete the training, you will also be gifted helpful equipment and a very official looking and stylish orange vest. Find out more at their website: https://tree-map.nycgovparks.org/tree-map/learn
“NYC Parks is investing in the future and we need your help. Our volunteers help with forest and wetland restoration, planting and pruning street trees, harvesting and propagating native seed and monitoring local wildlife. By becoming a steward of NYC’s green spaces, you can help ensure that our city’s natural resources are kept safe for future generations.” https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/stewardship
Growing Food Safely in Urban Soil
Folks in cities are increasingly drawn to growing food in urban soils; unfortunately, street tree beds and other available soils can be problematic in cities due to contaminants like lead and PAHs, and urination by pets and “salting” of sidewalks during winter snow and ice can lead to unhealthy levels of salt and acid in the soil. These dangerous contaminants can be ingested by those eating plants grown in the soils; some plants (tomatoes and other fruiting plants like squash or peas, for instance) are generally safer. Some are less safe, though: root vegetables like carrots, and leafy greens like kale or lettuce, for instance.
“Lead from old vehicle exhaust, paint, and past industrial activities is the most widely documented pollutant in urban soils. … PAHs [polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons], emitted when carbon-containing materials such as wood and gasoline are incompletely burned, are also quite common.” (R. Kessler, article cited & linked to below)
Some best practices include wearing gloves when gardening, using mulch and compost to dilute and improve the soil, adding topsoil and clean soil from certified sources, and creating raised beds where feasible.
Learn more about the issues:
The Environmental Protection Agency has a great fact sheet with important information for those wanting to grow plants in city soils that may be contaminated.
For a good article discussing risks and recommended practices: Rebecca Kessler, “Urban Gardening: Managing the Risks of Contaminated Soil,” Environmental Health Perspectives vol. 121, Issue 11-12, pp. A326 – A333. https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.121-a326
Urban Farming
Here are some resources for going beyond caring for your local tree beds, and actually farming in the city on a larger scale.
Give Back Sites in NYC (for mulch): NYC residents, nonprofit organizations, and agencies can get free, high-quality compost made from the leaf and yard waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper the city collects. Commercial landscapers and other businesses can purchase compost in bulk. Check out this site for giveaway times and places: https://www.nyc.gov/site/dsny/what-we-do/programs/compost-givebacks.page#giveback-sites
Project Eats (https://www.projecteats.org/) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-ay7I2g9Lo : Born out of the 2008 financial crisis, Project Eats is pioneering a revolutionary farm-centric food system right in the heart of New York City! With around half a dozen in-ground and rooftop farms in 4 of New York City’s 5 boroughs (as of 2021), Project Eats is making fresh, nutrient-dense veggies available to underserved communities throughout the city. Their largest urban farm is on Wards Island. Their current website: “Project EATS is a living installation transforming vacant lots and rooftops into neighborhood-based food supporting farm stands, pantries, prepared food, art programs, and community programs to catalyze creativity and cultivate greater food sovereignty across New York City.” To volunteer with one of their Food Pantries in the Bronx and Brownsville, check out: https://www.volunteermatch.org/s/srp/orgOpps?org=1253831
Farmer’s Friend: farmersfriend.com – Inspiring and equipping the next generation of small-scale farmers. Shares tips and great stories of small-scale farming in cities, towns, and off-the-grid country land spots.
NYC Community Gardens and Urban Agriculture Info Pages: https://agriculture.ny.gov/community-gardens-and-urban-agriculture
Urban Farming 101: What You Need to Know to Get Started: https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/blogs/urban-farming/urban-farming-101-what-you-need-to-know-to-get-started